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No. 750,833. PATENTED FEB. 2, 1904.

M. E. EDDY.

SOAP REGEPTAGLE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 20, 1903.-

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WITNESSES 3W w/h/ Patented February 2, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARIE E. EDDY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SOAP-RECEPTACLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '7 50,833, dated February 2, 1904.

Application filed May 20, 1903. Serial No. 157,902. (No model.)

To (1.6L w/wm it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARIE E. EDDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Soap-Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to receptacles for soap, and primarily to domestic soap-dishes.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a soap-dish formed entirely of absorbent material. Fig. 2 shows a soap-dish lined with absorbent material, 1 indicating the outer wall of the dish and 2 the absorbent lining.

It has been found in ordinary practice that when the soap is placed in the dish or other receptacle after use it is wet and the water runs off the soap and forms a puddle in the bottom of the receptacle, which not only in itself is objectionable, because of its being uncleanly, but the water so standing in the bottom of the, dish or other receptacle softens the soap that rests in it, and the cake of soap resting in the liquid is wasted. To avoid this waste of soap, various devices have been designed. After having, like housekeepers and other persons, noticed the uncleanliness, waste, and other objections to all forms of soap-dishes that have heretofore been used, and having tried a great many different kinds, and after having sought constantly for means to overcome the uncleanliness and waste above noted I have ascertained that a soap dish or receptacle composed of absorbent material will obviate the objections inherent in the soap-dishes heretofore used, which have been constructed of china, porcelain, metal, glass, rubber, and other materials of non-porous and non-absorbent character. I have in practice found a soap-dish composed of anhydrous non-vitrified clay admirably adapted to this purpose.

My invention consists in the discovery that the use of absorbent material in constructing soap-dishes, which has never before been used for the purpose, obviates the objection of the water from the soap draining into a puddle at the bottom of the soap-dish and forming a pool of dirty water to soften the remainder of the cake of soap, as a soap-dish made of'the material hereinabove suggested absorbs the moisture remaining on the soap and thrown into the dish with the soap, same being afterward gradually evaporated, and in this way by my discovery of the applicability to the formation of soap-dishes and special advantages of the use of this new material in making the objects referred to I have introduced a new and useful result, an increase of efficiency, greater cleanliness, and a complete saving of waste.

My invention may be utilized either in the form of complete soap-receptacles made out of absorbent material or by forming an interior lining of the same to be placed within'the ordinary soap-receptacles formed of any material or of those materials now common or by locating such absorbent material otherwise in or in relation to said soap-receptacles as to bring its absorbent properties into action on the moisture or water above mentioned.

The essential characteristic of the material that will accomplish the desiderata hereinabove mentioned is that it shall be absorbent. Various materials possessing the quality of absorbency may be mentioned, such as sand stone, ordinary clay brick, and tripoli-stone, (used in ordinary water-filters.) Sandstone does not absorb water as readily as my preferred material, and it would cost more to manufacture soap-dishes therefrom. Moreover, soap-dishes made from sandstone would be too heavy. Tripoli-stone, while more absorbent than sandstone, is so brittle that if the soap-dish were made light enough for practical purposes it would break very readily, while, on the other hand, increased strength would involve undue weight. Natural sponges and wood would be unsuitable because of the tendency of the latter to warp and of both to decompose when continuously moist.

My preferred material is therefore anhydrous non-vitrified clay, and the quality or character of the clay can range from the finest kaolin to the commonest brick-clay, as any hydrated silicate of alumina can be used for this purpose, provided that it is baked or burned to such a degree as to drive off the water therein contained, and thus to render it anhydrous, and yet not to such a degree or extent as to produce vitrification. I have, for instance, obtained good results by using a material which may be described as composed of a silicious ferruginous red clay burned about 36 hours. It is preferable, however, to use fire-clay or kaolin for the sake of obtaining a more pleasing color, which with fire-clay ranges from yellow to a light cream color and in the case of kaolin is white. I do not desire, however, to limit myself to this precise composition, treatment, or material, as any similar suitable absorbent substance used as stated will accomplish the same important and necessary results.

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. Asoap=receptacle in which the part which the soap touches is composed of absorbent amorphous material.

2. A soap-receptacle in which a part is found composed of absorbent amorphous material for relieving the interior of the receptacle of water.

3. A soap-receptacle formed of an absorbent amorphous material.

4. A soap-receptacle composed of non-vitrified anhydrous clay.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature, in presence of two Witnesses, this 15th day of May, 1903.

MARIE E. EDDY.

Witnesses:

MAUD E. LETGHER, W. C. GUELs. 

